A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology (Little Books) Paperback – August 3, 2012

Because I consider myself a new theologian and did not grow up reading the Bible, much less pursuing theology, the title of this book appealed to me enough to buy it. And I am very glad that I did. Kelly Kapic has written a wonderful book that takes on a very deep subject which he knows a lot about. Lots of people do that, but not many are able to write about their deep subject in ways that are accessible to the rest of us who don't know as much about their subject as they do. That's an achievement for a scholar in any field. The fact that his field is theology makes this accomplishment so much more important for theology beginners like me.I grew up in the Catholic tradition, which very much leaves theology to the theologians, most of whom seemed to be priests with lots of degrees. Even after my conversion to the Baptist reformed faith, and despite having a couple of degrees myself, I at first resisted the idea that I would ever be, much less want to be in any way a theologian. But the more I read and studied the Bible and read the writings of holy men and women from across the ages and faith traditions, without realizing it I became a theology student. And not reluctantly, either, like one of those required courses you have to take to get your degree. I was actually enjoying it. Eventually I realized that if we are indeed a priesthood of all believers, then we are by definition theologians.Kelly Kapic lays out why and how this is so in a most readable fashion. Like most of the best writers in this area, his book is filled not only with passages from Scripture—both testaments, and he explains why that is important at one point—but also writers from Augustine on to the present day. Kapic has concentrated his own research on the early Puritan John Owen, so it is not surprising that he quotes him several times along with Luther and others from the Reformed tradition as well. I think, however, that any Christian of any of the three major traditions could benefit from reading this book, whether to gain new perspectives or to be reminded and refreshed in old ones.The book is divided into two parts. Part I, Why Study Theology, has three chapters. Part II, Characteristics of Faithful Theology and Theologians, has seven. This book really spoke to me in several places based on my own pilgrimage, which is one of his themes, but I think anyone who is serious about faith would find the same thing, even though every person's own particular pilgrimage is so different. This book not only spurs you to study, but to prayer as well.I own a Kindle 1100, the basic model. Not from any plan, I basically read the first half of the book on the Kindle, and the second half on my desktop using Windows 8. This Kindle edition worked well on both platforms. I really appreciated that it had good notes, but also a name and subject index, as well as a scripture index. It concluded with a short note on the author that contained a link to a short video of Professor Kapic talking about theology that I really enjoyed.I highly recommend this book. I can't help but reflect sadly that, like many a good sermon, it's the people who really need this book that will not read it.

Kelly Kapic is professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He earned a PhD in systematic and historical theology at King's College, University of London and an M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Kapic is the author or editor of numerous books such as God So Loved He Gave, Communion with God, and Mapping Modern Theology. Additionally, he has published articles in various journals, such as the International Journal of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Journal, Conversations in Religion and Theology, and Evangelical Quarterly.The goal of this book is to show that theology is not a lifeless science that is separated from everyday life. The author shows this by saying, “Theology is not reserved for those in the academy; it is an aspect of thought and conversation for all who live and breathe, who wrestle and fear, who hope and pray.” (81) Whenever we read, think, hear or say anything about God, we are doing theology. Yet theology is not just a matter of what we think. It affects who we are.In the tradition of Helmut Thielicke's A Little Exercise for Young Theologians, the author offers a concise introduction to the study of theology for newcomers to the field. He highlights the value and importance of theological study and explains its unique nature as a serious discipline. The author reminds us of this by saying, “Good theology is public theology.” (815)Not only concerned with content and method, Kapic explores the skills, attitudes and spiritual practices needed by those who take up the discipline. This concise, clear and lively primer draws out the relevance of theology for Christian life, worship, mission, witness and more. "Theological reflection is a way of examining our praise, prayers, words and worship with the goal of making sure they conform to God alone." (109)The author achieves this goal by first answering the question, “why study Theology”, and then by giving us characteristics of faithful theology and theologians. He first displays to us that we do need to study theology by saying, “One great danger of idols is that we try to fill our souls with what cannot satisfy, and then in our loneliness, questions and despair we wonder where God is. We were created for fellowship with God, and apart from that communion we are lost. Theology is about life, and it is not a conversation our souls can afford to avoid.” (126)Theology is not an isolated activity that happens in an ivory tower. It is something that changes the way we live and affects those around us. The author displays this when he quotes Carolyn Curtis James, “Whether our theology is good or flawed, those we love most will be first to feel the effects.” (97) He also states, “Theology grows best in community.” (856) More is at stake than just our relationship with God or our thoughts, our theology can change the lives of those around us, in fact, since our theology is not dead it should change the lives and for some the eternity of those around us.In the next section he points to the characteristics of faithful theology and theologians. In this section we learn that not only why we should study theology, but also what it looks like in the everyday life of a theologian. The author starts by first reminding us that, “true theology is inevitably lived theology.” (323)However, the main goal of this section is to debunk several misconceptions about theology. First the author takes on the misconception that theology becomes defective because of faulty thinking. “Not so, argues Hodge. Our theology can become corrupted because we neglect to attend to our lives, for true theology must always be true spirituality. He concludes, “Holiness is essential to correct knowledge of divine things, and the great security from error.”” (360)Another misconception that the author takes on is the misconception that not all people have a theology because some do not believe in a God. The author responds to this by saying, “There are no true unbelievers; we all place our trust in something. Therefore, whatever its content, our faith inescapably informs what we determine to be reasonable. Reason is not mocked by faithful theologians; it is put to proper use as the servant of faith rather than its master.” (505)Next the author answers the question, which is more important, prayer or theology? He answers by appealing that they are not opposites. He says, “Our study informs our prayers, and our prayers enliven our study. We cannot choose between prayer and study; faithful theology requires prayerful study.” (613)Similarly, he does the same for the question of tradition and scripture. He in the same way answers both by saying, “We do ourselves and God no favors by neglecting the faithful, whether they are living or dead. Those in the pew should not lord their instincts over their pastors and theologians, but neither should such leaders neglect the wisdom in the pew.” (972) However, just to clarify that scripture takes precedence he goes onto say, “With all of the importance of tradition, it cannot stand above Scripture, nor can the experience of the church.” (975)The author also takes on the challenge of whether the Christian should pick between having strong emotions or solid theology. To answer this the author reminds us that, “The theologian who has no joy in his work is not a theologian at all. Sulky faces, morose thoughts and boring ways of speaking are intolerable in this science.” (1150)A strength of this book is that its claims and arguments are very well supported. Throughout the book the author quotes several different theologians from different time periods as well as from different theological backgrounds. Another strength of this book is not only does he point us to other strong theologians that back up his claims, but the author also uses several biblical references from both the new and old testaments to back his claims.Another strength of this book is the way that he delivers weighty theological truths in a concise and easily understandable language. One does not need a Masters degree nor have extensive background in Greek and Hebrew to understand the main point of this book.The author does come from a reformed theological background, but does so in a way that would not scare off anyone that opposes reformed theology. The claims he makes about scripture and theology are done so in a way that does not use any terminology that others might find offensive or distracting.Probably the biggest strength of this book is the manner that the author handles such theological claims with such great humility. Knowing that knowledge has a temptation to “puff up” the author approaches everything with humility even pointing out his goal by saying:This book was not written from the perspective of a person who has arrived and finished the race. My prayers are weak, my pride a constant threat, my concern for the poor and those who suffer is often meager, and my struggle with faith is anything but over. I have known and continue to wrestle with suffering, doubt, weariness, hardness of heart and the constant presence of my own finitude. But I have also known joy, hope and the deepest comfort in my pilgrimage. What I describe above should be considered marks of a good theologian and theology, not because I have personally attained them but because I think they point in the right direction. I write merely as one sojourner to another. (1141) In summary this is a great book for anyone starting out in the work of theology. It will help anyone not only know the why of studying theology, but also help them think through some of the pitfalls and misconceptions about who a theologian is and what he looks like. This book is a concise and easily readable book regardless of background. A weakness of this book is that it does not point you out beyond this book. This book is great to get one started in the work of theology, but it would have been great if it could point the reader in the right direction for their next step as they continue to study theology. However, one could argue that in the notes section of the book, someone looking for the next step could start there. Although some of those references get heavy very quickly especially for a new theologian. Overall this is a great book and would recommend it to anyone that is searching or has misconceptions on what theology really is about. The author achieves a great accomplishment by writing a concise book on theology that calls all to the task by reminding us that, “Theology is about life, and it is not a conversation our souls can afford to avoid.” (126)

Concise and incisive, I found the book to be both a moral challenge and a spiritual encouragement that blessed me.

It's an easy, quick read, yet quite informative and insightful. It has modern language and the information is immediately applicable.

Unlike many academic books on Theology, Kapic actually pushes hard on scripture, theology as praise and prayer. If a college is going to make you read a book, this is a good one.

I honestly don't see how anyone who is either starting to study theology or has studied it for decades would not benefit from reading this book. If you're just starting, it will excited and sober you at once about the task ahead, and if you're a long time theologian it will ground and refresh and challenge you anew.Starting this book, I assumed I would quickly skim through it and have heard most of it before. That did not happen. Each chapter is rich and dense (in a good way), with citations and references to theologians from a very broad (but orthodox) spectrum, both theologically and chronologically. I found this not just intellectually helpful, but also humbling: I felt very tangibly surrounded by a great "cloud of witnesses" all the way through.The chapters about personal character, service, humility, etc. were deeply challenging, and the chapters on faith/reason and history/tradition/authority very helpfully grounding.Like I said, if you study theology at any level, or are even remotely interested in it, I can't envisage a scenario where you would not be encouraged, challenged, and helpfully informed by this book. Very thankful for having been given it!

Need for study but super interesting. Every Christian believer should read this.

I'm a first year theology student and so I was reccomended to read this book. This book is a great compass for any evangelical theology student on mapping out a safe path. It shows you the dangers and pitfalls, it helps you keep the main purpose in view. He is succinct and knowledgeable about Theological studies.I found him helpful from the understanding of maintaining a healthy spiritual life of communion to God with the difficult task of studying the scriptures both devotionally and academically. He is honest and unbiased with his views.He gives practical advice as well as important things for your consideration.If you want to keep you eyes on Jesus, your love for the bible as the word of God and still remain faithful to studying theology, I would recommend you read this book because it has a lot to say on the matter for such a small book.God bless.

Dieses kleine Büchlein ist einfach wunderbar! Es enthält einen sehr wichtigen Mix aus theologischen Grundlagen und ist exzellent ausbalanciert. eines Erachtens nicht nur für "new theologians".Kapic hat mit diesem Buch einen kostbaren Grundstein für die angemessene und Gott-treue Herangehensweise an das Bibel- und Theologie-Studium zu Papiert gebracht.Wer die Autortät der Schrift ablehnt - i.d.R. also wer nicht an Jesus Christus glaubt - wird an diesem Buch Anstoß nehmen.----Kapic's book may be 'small' in page number, but the contents are packed with Biblical-theological truth and experience as a believer in Christ and as a scholar. If You are s student of God's Word (evangelical-orthodox tradition) - with my warmest recommendation I would like to encourage You to get this book. Even at a post-graduate level or in pastoral practice - this will serve You well as a personal reminder of what it means to be a steward of God's Word. Most excellent, Biblically decent and beautiful!

Excellent

I found this to be a very enjoyable and helpful read and would certainly recommend it to others. I didn't find it difficult, but it definitely presents some challenges to the reader concerning the attitude with which we must come to God's word if we are to properly benefit from it, as well as about the impact of God's word on our life and worship.